Postcard from this Week

iPhonography

iPhone w/ Hipstamatic

Nice little church with red door - just off Sang Run Road in Garrett County Maryland.  If interested, you can see more images of Western Maryland in my Western Maryland Gallery at dcstockphotos.com.

The iPhone Camera is your Friend

Glen Echo Park   iPhone w/Hipstamatic

Whenever I'm out shooting architectural details I naturally snap a few with my iPhone.  Many times afterwards I find, with certain images, I prefer the "quality" and "aesthetic" of several iPhone images over the the dslr images.  Here's a piece recently written by PhotoShelter co-founder Allen Murabayashi, included in Wired Magazine, that touches on this very topic.  Allen was kind enough to include me in the piece - it's funny to read the comments by readers.  I don't understand why so many appear to be dead set against ( afraid of ) the use of any and all the wonderful tools available in creating images.  The point is not to get hung up on the equipment or method - to me it's more about creative self expression - however it might be accomplished.

Here's the piece:  Why Instagram is Terrible for Photographers, and Why You Should Use It

Postcard from Last Week

Snake Dude

iPhone w/ PhotoShop Express App

Our Band - HotWire - played a Biker Rally in Williamsport, MD. I saw this guy in the crowd and had to go over and check him out during a break.  He had his "Old Lady" and all the "RugRats" in tow - He sure did Love that Snake.

Details in Nature / Macro

Macro / Details in Nature - Images by Randy Santos / dcstockimages.com

I recently bought a Canon 100mm 2.8L Macro. I just started shooting with it this past weekend, what a fantastic lens!  Here's a little gallery of what I've shot so far.  I'm fortunate to have realized great success in marketing my Collection of Washington DC Photography and am always looking towards expanding the scope of work I might offer within my existing client base.  I'm fascinated with the Details in Nature and this lens enables me to capture what I see at this scale - hopefully I will produce (and successfully market) a body of work that will allow me to supplement existing projects and extend my reach towards a newly targeted market segment.

If you can't see the above Flash Gallery you may view here:  Macro / Details in Nature

Washington DC Stock Photography Licensing

Here's another example of licensing my Washington DC Photography for various media applications.  NBC licensed the above image for use as the opening page for NBC4 Washington's Mobile Phone App - I also licensed another image for their iPad App.  Another interesting use I have licensed Washington DC Images to NBC for was prints included in the set design for a few of their TV Series Productions. There's a whole world of opportunity in licensing images - many you might never have thought of - you just have to get your work out there and available to be found by buyers.

Postcard from Last Week

Stock Images are Wherever You Are

I always say, " Beauty is all around us, Art is Wherever you are".  The same can be said for creating marketable stock photography.  Images are everywhere - you just have to look around.  I recently came upon this cover I licensed an image for a while back.  This was shot on vacation, and for me yet another random architectural detail type image that I obsessively create and add to my collection of stock photography.  But - to this savvy art director - the perfect image they were seeking for their cover.  You can see many more similar images in my Eastern Shore Virginia Gallery - all shot on vacation btw.

Washington DC Photography Licensing

I am fortunate to have images from my Collection of Washington DC Stock Photography licensed for use in such a diverse range of Print and Electronic Media.  Many times this use includes licensing images to publishers for best selling authors book covers.  Here's one I've just seen the final layout on - John Gilstrap's new book - Damage Control - due out in June from Pinnacle Books.

Cherry Blossoms in Washington DC

If you plan on shooting the Cherry Blossoms this year you better get ready.  The Cherry Blossoms in DC, around the Tidal Basin,  are reaching Peak Bloom very early this year. Peak Bloom expected Tuesday 3/20.  Get down early to beat the crowds and capture wonderful views to include the Washington Monument and Jefferson Memorial.  If you happen to miss them around the Tidal Basin you always have the chance to catch them a bit later on the grounds of the US Capitol - the West side of the US Capitol offers some opportunity for great images as well as the East Side near the Supreme Court.  Here's an article included in this month's Popular Photography including a few tips from me on photographing the Cherry Blossoms in DC.  I'm hoping for a day or two of dramatic early morning light to add images to my Cherry Blossom Gallery within my collection of Washington DC Images.

Washington DC SpringTime

iPhone w/PhotoShop Express App

 Washington DC in the Spring means one thing - Cherry Blossoms - blooming around the Tidal Basin,  Cherry Blossom Trees symbolize the natural beauty of our Nation's Capital and has become part of Washington, D.C.'s rite of spring.  This year marks the 100th Anniversary of Japan's gift to our city of over 3000 trees planted in 1912 around the Tidal Basin in West Potomac Park, and on the grounds of the Washington Monument. I've been fortunate to have captured so many beautiful and iconic (= marketable) images over the years - I look forward to the opportunity in the coming weeks to create more images of our Beautiful City.

No Snow

iPhone w/ Hipstamatic + OldPhoto 

February is over and Spring is almost here - by now our chances of any substantial snowfall in the DC Area are about 0%.  Too bad - I love a massive crippling accumulation when everything shuts down for a few days - it also makes for great images.  Going through my iPhone Photo Gallery I came across this image from last year at the beginning of one such Storm. I don't mind though - and am ready for Spring in DC.  I live in the Enchanted Forest and soon everything will be blossoming and blooming.

Scenic Western Maryland

iPhone w/ Hipstamatic

Nice little scene in Garrett County, MD near Deep Creek Lake - I have so many favorite spots I frequent during the early morning light - get off the main roads and there are good images at every twist and turn in the road. Over time I've built up a nice collection of Scenic Western Maryland Images.

Twisty Old Oak greets another Day

iPhone w/ Hipstamatic + Pixelblender

This Old Timer has seen many Days come and go.  I love shooting the shapes and details I see in the Architectural Elements of Washington DC Architecture- but am also fascinated with the patterns and symmetry found all around us in Nature - that exist at all scales - large and small.

Chincoteague Island Mermaid

iPhone w/Hipstamatic

Stumbled upon this lovely display in someone's front yard while Walking the Earth - (actually riding a scooter) - through the back streets of Chincoteague Island, VA.  I have so many good images from wandering around Assateague / Chincoteague Island in the early morning hours - just viewing the World around Me - the best way to start your day -  Art is Wherever You Are.

Washington DC / Springtime in February

iPhone w/ Hipstamatic

This has been the mildest Winter in Washington DC that I can remember.  I've been taking advantage of this Spring-like weather to add images to my Washington DC Galleries and Stock Images Galleries.  I'm always working towards building the most comprehensive collection of stock photography images of Washington DC I can.  I love the beauty and architecture of DC.  Prior to a meeting last week I took a wonderful stroll around the US Capitol - that's how I've built up my entire collection of DC images - just being there.

Rainy Day Near Dupont Circle

iPhone w/ PixelBender

Crossing the street near Dupont Circle in Washington D.C. on a rainy day.  I always say, "Bad Weather makes Good Photos". Wherever you are at any given moment there are interesting images to be had - you just have to look around.

Chicken IS always Good

iPhone with Hipstamatic

Stumbled across this sign while Walking the Earth in Washington DC.  I love Cooking Chicken so many ways - I have witnessed grown men weep joyous tears when eating chicken cooked in my magic La Caja China.

Glen Echo Park Carousel

Glen Echo Carousel

iPhone with Hipstamatic App

I love the architectural details within Glen Echo Park.  Feel free to view more images in my Architectural Details Gallery included in my Collection of Washington D.C. Stock Photography.